JP2014016430A - Surface treatment device for spectacle lens and method for manufacturing spectacle lens - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device which shows good temperature followability of a treatment liquid with respect to an output of a heater, can exactly control the temperature of the treatment liquid and achieves energy saving when a spectacle lens is immersed in the treatment liquid to perform a surface treatment.SOLUTION: A surface treatment device of a spectacle lens is provided, which includes: a treatment tank 2 for reserving a treatment liquid 8 to be used for the surface treatment of a spectacle lens by immersing; heating means 3 for heating the treatment liquid 8 reserved in the treatment tank; and control means for controlling driving of the heating means 3. The heating means 3 comprises induction heating means. It is preferable that: the control means controls driving of the heating means 3 to bring the temperature of the treatment liquid 8 to a target temperature or to hold at the target temperature in a surface treatment process of the spectacle lens; and that in a standby step in which the spectacle lens is not subjected to the surface treatment but held in a standby state, the control means controls driving of the heating means 3 to bring the temperature of the treatment liquid 8 to a standby temperature set lower than the target temperature or to hold at the standby temperature.

Description

  The present invention relates to a spectacle lens surface treatment apparatus and a spectacle lens manufacturing method which are applied when a spectacle lens is immersed in a treatment liquid for surface treatment.

  As one of the surface treatments for spectacle lenses (hereinafter also abbreviated as “lenses”), dyeing treatment is known. The dyeing process is a process of coloring the spectacle lens before processing the target lens shape. As dyeing methods, immersion dyeing, DDM dyeing, and sublimation dyeing are known. The immersion dyeing method is a method in which a spectacle lens is immersed in a dyeing solution for dyeing and is a commonly used method. In the immersion dyeing method, a spectacle lens is dyed by holding the spectacle lens with a lens holder and immersing the spectacle lens in a staining solution together with the lens holder (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).

JP 2009-235602 A JP 2010-20138 A

  In the eyeglass lens dyeing process based on the immersion dyeing method described above, it is necessary to heat the dyeing liquid to a temperature higher than room temperature in order to allow the dye component contained in the dyeing liquid to penetrate into the lens. For heating the staining liquid, an indirect heating type heater such as a sheathed heater is usually used. In this case, the dyeing tank in which the dyeing liquid is stored is heated by the heat released from the heater, and the dyeing liquid is heated by transferring the heat applied to the dyeing tank to the dyeing liquid. .

  However, when such a heater is used, heat loss is increased because heat released from the heater is not directly transmitted to the dyeing solution and used for heating. For this reason, the followability of the temperature of the heating object (staining liquid) with respect to the output of the heater is poor, and the temperature of the heater and the temperature of the staining liquid tend to deviate. As a result, the temperature raising efficiency is lowered, and the time until the dyeing liquid reaches a predetermined temperature (hereinafter referred to as “target temperature”) becomes longer, resulting in a decrease in productivity.

  In addition, if only the temperature of the dyeing liquid is managed to control the output of the heater, there is a problem that the heater is easily loaded and the heater is deformed or burned out.

  Furthermore, due to the poor followability of the temperature of the dyeing liquid, the dyeing liquid may be overheated exceeding a target temperature that is a set temperature. Such overheating promotes the evaporation of the dyeing solution and causes scattering of the dyeing component and the carrier component, resulting in environmental problems. In addition, the life of the staining liquid tends to be shortened.

  In spite of the above problems, a sheathed heater has been used in the spectacle lens dyeing process. The reason is that after the dyeing liquid is heated when the processing apparatus is started up and the temperature of the dyeing liquid reaches the target temperature, the temperature can be maintained until the apparatus is stopped. It is thought that it was because we were able to fulfill.

  On the other hand, in recent years, eyeglass lenses are dyed not only with a predetermined color and density, but also according to the needs of the eyeglass lens wearer, the color and density of the lens, the degree of gradation, etc. are individually set. Has been done. In dyeing such a so-called made-to-order lens, it is necessary to prepare a staining solution corresponding to the lineup of colors.

  However, when the above-mentioned sheathed heater is used to heat the dyeing liquid in the dyeing process using the dyeing liquid with few orders, the temperature of the dyeing liquid is set to the target temperature even though the operation time of the processing apparatus is short. You have to keep on. That is, since unnecessary heating is performed on the staining liquid, there is a problem that energy loss is large and the life of the staining liquid is shortened by heating.

  In addition, when the above-described sheathed heater is used for heating the dyeing liquid, the temperature of the dyeing liquid cannot be strictly controlled because the followability of the temperature of the dyeing liquid is poor. As a result, there is a problem that even if the same lens is dyed under the same conditions, the dyed state (for example, L value indicating a color difference) varies, and the reproducibility of the dyed state is lowered.

  Therefore, in particular, problems caused by using an indirect heating type heater in the dyeing process of a custom-made lens have become apparent.

  Furthermore, in the lens dyeing process, bubbles may be generated in the liquid during the process of heating the dyeing liquid. The bubbles generated in this way float on the surface of the staining liquid. When the spectacle lens is immersed in the staining solution in such a situation, bubbles adhere to the surface of the lens, which causes defective coloring such as color unevenness.

  The main object of the present invention is that when the surface treatment is performed by immersing the spectacle lens in the processing liquid, the temperature of the processing liquid is excellent following the output of the heater, the temperature of the processing liquid can be strictly controlled, and energy saving is achieved. It is to provide technology that can be realized.

The first aspect of the present invention is:
A treatment tank for storing a treatment liquid used for surface treatment by immersing the spectacle lens;
Heating means for heating the treatment liquid stored in the treatment tank;
Control means for controlling the drive of the heating means,
The heating means is an eyeglass lens surface treatment apparatus comprising an induction heating means.

The second aspect of the present invention is:
The control means includes
In the surface treatment step of performing the surface treatment of the spectacle lens, the driving of the heating unit is controlled so that the temperature of the treatment liquid reaches or maintains the target temperature, and the surface treatment of the spectacle lens is not performed. In the standby step of waiting, the driving of the heating unit is controlled so as to reach or maintain the temperature of the processing solution at a standby temperature set lower than the target temperature. The surface treatment apparatus of the spectacle lens described in 1.

The third aspect of the present invention is:
The eyeglass lens surface treatment apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the standby temperature is higher than a pre-heating temperature that is a temperature before the treatment liquid is heated.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is:
The control means includes
A period for raising the temperature of the processing liquid from the temperature before starting heating to the target temperature is divided into a first temperature raising period and a second temperature raising period to control the driving of the heating means, and the first In the temperature raising period, the temperature of the processing liquid is raised from the pre-heating temperature to an intermediate temperature lower than the target temperature, and in the second temperature raising period, the temperature rises later than the first temperature raising period. The spectacle lens according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein driving of the heating unit is controlled so that the temperature of the processing liquid is raised from the midway temperature to the target temperature at a temperature rate. This is a surface treatment apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention,
A surface treatment process in which a spectacle lens is immersed in a treatment liquid heated to a target temperature to perform surface treatment;
A standby step of waiting without performing the surface treatment of the spectacle lens,
In the standby step, the temperature of the treatment liquid is reached or maintained at a standby temperature set lower than the target temperature.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is:
The method for manufacturing a spectacle lens according to the fifth aspect, wherein the temperature of the treatment liquid is controlled by induction heating means.

  According to the present invention, in the surface treatment of the spectacle lens, the temperature of the treatment liquid can be increased efficiently, and the reproducibility of the surface treatment can be increased. Further, the present invention can realize energy saving by reducing power consumption and suppressing evaporation of the processing liquid, and is also suitable for a custom-made dyeing process.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the dyeing | staining processing apparatus of the spectacle lens which concerns on this embodiment. In this embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows the temperature change of the dyeing liquid in a dyeing process process and a standby process. It is a graph which shows the color difference (L value) of the spectacle lens after dyeing | staining at the time of performing the dyeing | staining process of spectacle lenses using the dyeing | staining processing apparatus which concerns on the Example and comparative example of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, description will be given in the following order.
1. 1. Configuration of dyeing apparatus 2. Manufacturing method of spectacle lens 3. Effects according to the embodiment Modifications etc.

<1. Structure of dyeing processing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a spectacle lens dyeing apparatus according to this embodiment. The illustrated dyeing processing apparatus 1 is used as an example of the surface treatment of the spectacle lens L, when the spectacle lens L is dyed, and more specifically, when the spectacle lens L is dyed by the immersion dyeing method. The dyeing processing apparatus 1 generally includes a dyeing tank 2, an induction heater 3, a temperature sensor 9, and a heater control circuit 20. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

  The staining tank 2 stores a staining liquid 8 used for the staining process of the spectacle lens L. The dyeing tank 2 is large enough to store a predetermined amount (hereinafter referred to as “specified amount”) of the dyeing liquid 8 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box structure as a whole. The main body portion of the dyeing tank 2 includes a bottom plate portion 4 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, a side plate portion 5 rising vertically from an outer peripheral portion (four side portions) of the bottom plate portion 4, and two opposing side plate portions 5. An edge plate portion 6 extending outward from the upper end is integrally provided. Further, the main body portion (4, 5, 6) of the dyeing tank 2 is a conductor having resistance (corrosion resistance, etc.) to the staining liquid 8 used for dyeing the spectacle lens L and having an inherent electric resistance. It is configured using a certain material. Examples of such a material include stainless steel such as SUS430.

  The side plate part 5 of the dyeing tank 2 is covered with a heat insulating material 7 over the entire circumference. The heat insulating material 7 is provided in order to keep the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 by suppressing heat dissipation when the dyeing liquid 8 put in the dyeing tank 2 is heated. The heat insulating material 7 is made of, for example, foamed polypropylene (manufactured by Kaneka Corporation, Eperan (registered trademark), etc.).

  The induction heater 3 is provided as an example of induction heating means for heating the staining liquid 8 stored in the staining tank 2. The induction heater 3 is disposed opposite and close to the bottom plate portion 4 of the dyeing tank 2. When a current flows through the induction heater 3, lines of magnetic force whose direction and strength change are generated in the induction heater 3. And an eddy current generate | occur | produces in the inside of the dyeing tank 2 which is a conductor with this magnetic force line. When this eddy current flows, the dyeing tank 2 self-heats due to the electrical resistance inherent to the dyeing tank 2, and the dyeing solution 8 stored in the dyeing tank 2 can be heated by this heat. That is, the heat generated in the dyeing tank 2 is directly transmitted to the dyeing liquid 8 and the dyeing liquid 8 is heated.

  The induction heater 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is a heater capable of generating eddy currents inside the dyeing tank 2 and causing self-heating by using electromagnetic induction. For example, the induction heater 3 may be configured using a coil made of a conductive material. Moreover, it is preferable that the output of the induction heater 3 is controlled by an inverter circuit. Moreover, it is preferable that the thermistor is attached to the coil which comprises the induction heating heater 3, and the temperature of a heater is managed.

The temperature sensor 9 is provided as an example of temperature detection means for detecting the temperature (liquid temperature) of the staining liquid 8 stored in the staining tank 2. The temperature sensor 9 is a sensor that detects temperature using, for example, platinum or a thermocouple as a temperature measuring element. The temperature measuring section of the temperature sensor 9 is formed in a rod shape, and a detection signal related to the temperature of the staining solution 8 is output from the temperature sensor 9 by inserting the rod-shaped portion into the staining solution 8.
In the present embodiment, since the dyeing solution 8 is rapidly heated by the induction heater 3 and the temperature is managed with high accuracy, it is preferable to use a thermocouple having excellent thermal responsiveness as the temperature sensor 9. When platinum is used, the temperature of the staining solution 8 is measured by the resistance value of the entire platinum temperature measuring unit, and thus structural problems such as poor response followability to a rapid temperature change of the staining solution 8 are inferior to thermocouples. Because there is.

  The heater control circuit 20 is provided as an example of a control unit that controls the output of the induction heater 3 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 9. The heater control circuit 20 takes in the detection signal output from the temperature sensor 9 and outputs the output of the induction heater 3 so that the difference between the temperature of the staining solution 8 indicated by the detection signal and the set temperature is small. It is a circuit to control.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the heater control circuit 20 always takes in a detection signal related to the temperature of the staining liquid 8 output from the temperature sensor 9 and predicts a temperature increase and a temperature decrease of the staining liquid 8 to control heating. An example of such a control method is a PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control method. By incorporating predictive control, the temperature of the staining solution 8 can be managed with higher accuracy.

  Further, the heater control circuit 20 supplies a driving pulse having a predetermined voltage to the induction heater 3 based on the result of the predictive control. Then, the output of the induction heater 3 is variably controlled by modulating the pulse width of the drive pulse by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control method.

  In the present embodiment, the heater control circuit 20 controls the output of the induction heater 3 using a PID control method. Further, the output of the induction heater 3 is variably controlled at a rate of the on-time of the induction heater 3 by a PWM control method. The output of the induction heater 3 is set to a maximum output in heating periods such as a temperature raising period, a heat retention period, and a standby period, which will be described later, and is 10% within a range of 0% to 100% with respect to the maximum output. Adjusted in% increments.

<2. Manufacturing Method for Eyeglass Lens>
Then, the manufacturing method of the spectacle lens which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The spectacle lens manufacturing method according to the present embodiment includes a surface treatment process in which a spectacle lens is immersed in a treatment liquid to perform a surface treatment, and a standby process in which the spectacle lens is not subjected to a surface treatment and is on standby. In the present embodiment, a dyeing process as an example of a surface treatment process will be described. Note that the above-described dyeing treatment apparatus 1 may be automatically operated to perform the dyeing treatment process and the standby process described below.

(Dyeing process)
First, a predetermined amount of the dyeing solution 8 is stored in the dyeing tank 2. At this time, the height of the liquid surface of the staining liquid 8 is at the position indicated by the symbol Sh in FIG.

  Next, when a start switch provided in an operation unit (not shown) is pressed, the induction heater 3 is driven using this as a trigger. The dyeing tank 2 itself generates heat due to the eddy current generated according to the output of the induction heater 3 and heats the dyeing solution 8. The heater control circuit 20 controls the output of the induction heater 3 as follows.

  First, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 before starting heating by the induction heater 3 is defined as “temperature Ts before heating start”, and the temperature that the heater control circuit 20 targets for temperature control is “target”. The temperature is defined as “Tt”. The target temperature Tt is a temperature set in advance when the temperature of the staining liquid 8 is controlled. In the present embodiment, the target temperature Tt is set so as to coincide with the temperature of the staining liquid 8 suitable for the dyeing process of the spectacle lens L (hereinafter referred to as “dyeing process suitable temperature”).

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the pre-heating temperature Ts is normal temperature (20 ° C. ± 15 ° C.) and the target temperature Tt is 95 ° C., in the present embodiment, the heater control circuit 20 The period during which the temperature is increased from the pre-heating start temperature Ts to the target temperature Tt is divided into a first temperature increase period Ht1 and a second temperature increase period Ht2, and the output (drive) of the induction heater 3 is controlled. This will be described in detail below. The graph shown on the upper side of FIG. 2 shows the temperature change of the staining solution 8 when the target temperature Tt is set to 95 ° C. with the temperature (liquid temperature) of the staining solution 8 on the vertical axis and the time on the horizontal axis. ing.

  The first temperature raising period Ht1 is a period for raising the temperature of the staining liquid 8 from the pre-heating start temperature Ts to the intermediate temperature Th. The second temperature raising period Ht2 is a period following the first temperature raising period Ht1, and is a period for raising the temperature of the staining solution 8 from the midway temperature Th to the target temperature Tt.

  The intermediate temperature Th is a temperature that is set in advance under a condition that is higher than the pre-heating start temperature Ts and lower than the target temperature Tt. In the present embodiment, the intermediate temperature Th is set to 70 ° C. Regarding the intermediate temperature Th, for example, when the dyeing solution 8 is heated from room temperature with the output of the induction heater 3 being set to the maximum (100%), the temperature at which bubbles start to be generated in the solution of the dyeing solution 8 (hereinafter, “ It is preferable to set according to “foaming start temperature”. However, regarding the intermediate temperature Th, a temperature slightly higher or slightly lower than the foaming start temperature, more specifically, for example, a range of foaming start temperature ± 10 ° C, preferably a range of foaming start temperature ± 5 ° C, More preferably, the foaming start temperature is set within a range of ± 2 ° C.

  The heater control circuit 20 controls the output of the induction heater 3 under the following conditions in the first temperature raising period Ht1 and the second temperature raising period Ht2. First, in the first temperature raising period Ht1, the output of the induction heater 3 is set to the maximum 100% (first output value), and the dyeing liquid 8 is raised from the pre-heating temperature Ts to the intermediate temperature Th. Let warm. Next, in the second temperature raising period Ht2, the output of the induction heater 3 is set to 70% (second output value), and the dyeing solution 8 is heated from the intermediate temperature Th to the target temperature Tt. By controlling the output of the induction heater 3 in this way, the temperature increase rate of the staining liquid 8 becomes slower in the second temperature increase period Ht2 than in the first temperature increase period Ht1.

  The temperature increase rate of the staining liquid 8 is defined by the amount of temperature increase of the staining liquid 8 per unit time. For this reason, the temperature increase rate of the staining liquid 8 can be expressed in units such as “° C./min”, for example. In addition, the temperature increase rate of the dyeing liquid 8 in the first temperature increase period Ht1 and the second temperature increase period Ht2 is the average of the temperature increase rates in the first temperature increase period Ht1 and the second temperature increase period Ht2, respectively. It is preferable to define the value.

  By defining the temperature increase rate of the staining liquid 8 as an average value, the temperature increase rate of the staining liquid 8 can be relatively compared in the first temperature increase period Ht1 and the second temperature increase period Ht2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, after the second temperature increase period Ht2, the process proceeds to a heat retention period Ht3. That is, the dyeing process includes a first temperature increase period Ht1, a second temperature increase period Ht2, and a heat retention period Ht3.

  The heater control circuit 20 sets the output of the induction heater 3 to 60% and maintains the temperature of the staining solution 8 at the target temperature Tt (95 ° C.) during the heat retention period Ht3. At this time, the heater control circuit 20 maintains the temperature of the staining solution 8 at the target temperature Tt by increasing or decreasing the output of the induction heater 3 as necessary. In the present embodiment, maintaining the target temperature Tt means that the target temperature Tt is controlled in the range of the target temperature Tt ± 1 ° C., preferably in the range of the target temperature Tt ± 0.5 ° C.

  In the heat retention period Ht3, the spectacle lens L is dyed by immersing the spectacle lens L in the dye solution 8 while maintaining the temperature of the dye solution 8 at the target temperature Tt. Specifically, the spectacle lens L is held by a lens holder (not shown), and the spectacle lens L is lowered toward the staining solution 8 together with the lens holder. At this time, when the entire spectacle lens L is dyed uniformly (hereinafter referred to as “uniform dyeing”), the entire spectacle lens L is immersed in the dye solution 8. When a part of the spectacle lens L is dyed, a part of the spectacle lens L is immersed in the liquid of the staining liquid 8 in accordance with a predetermined dyeing reference line on the spectacle lens L, and if necessary. The eyeglass lens L is moved up and down. When a predetermined dyeing time has elapsed since the start of the immersion of the spectacle lens L, the spectacle lens L is pulled up to a space above the liquid surface of the staining liquid 8 by raising the lens holder.

  Thus, the spectacle lens L is dye | stained by immersing the spectacle lens L in the dyeing liquid 8 maintained by the heater control circuit 20 at target temperature Tt.

(Standby process)
When the eyeglass lens dyeing process is completed and the eyeglass lens L is lifted from the dyeing liquid 8 together with the holder, the process proceeds to a standby process. The standby step is a step of waiting without performing spectacle lens dyeing processing. Timer control or the like may be used for the transition to the standby process.

  In the standby step, the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 is allowed to reach a standby temperature Ti set to a temperature lower than the target temperature Tt from the target temperature Tt (temperature suitable for dyeing process). In the present embodiment, a period during which the temperature is lowered from the target temperature Tt to the standby temperature Ti is defined as a temperature drop period Ht4.

  In the temperature drop period Ht4, the output of the induction heater 3 may be controlled by the heater control circuit 20 so that the temperature of the dyeing solution 8 reaches the standby temperature Ti, or the output of the induction heater 3 is set to 0%, that is, The induction heater 3 may be stopped to reach the standby temperature Ti. Alternatively, the standby temperature Ti may be reached using a cooling means.

  In the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of energy saving, it is preferable to stop the induction heater 3 so that the temperature of the staining liquid 8 reaches the standby temperature Ti. In FIG. 2, the temperature linearly changes from the target temperature Tt to the standby temperature Ti, but when the induction heater 3 is stopped, the temperature from the target temperature Tt to the standby temperature Ti is usually set. The change becomes a curve.

  After the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 reaches the standby temperature Ti, the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 is maintained at the standby temperature Ti until the next dyeing process starts. In the present embodiment, a period during which the temperature of the staining liquid 8 is maintained at the standby temperature Ti is set as a standby period Ht5. That is, the standby process is composed of a temperature drop period Ht4 and a standby period Ht5.

  In the standby period Ht5, the heater control circuit 20 controls the output of the induction heater 3 to maintain the temperature of the staining solution 8 at the standby temperature Ti, and the eyeglass lens is not dyed.

  The standby temperature Ti is not particularly limited as long as it is lower than the target temperature Tt, but the production efficiency is improved in consideration of the time until the target temperature Tt is reached from the standby temperature Ti, energy consumption, the frequency of the dyeing process, and the like. It is preferable to set the temperature to be possible. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the target temperature Tt is 95 ° C., the standby temperature Ti is set to 65 ° C. This standby temperature Ti is higher than the pre-heating start temperature Ts.

  Since the standby temperature Ti is not a dyeing treatment suitable temperature, it is not necessary to maintain it strictly, and it is only necessary to be controlled within a certain range. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the standby temperature Ti is maintained, a temperature range in which the energy consumption necessary for maintaining the standby temperature Ti is as small as possible may be set as appropriate.

  When the eyeglass lens is dyed again, the standby process is terminated, and as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the dyeing process, where the dyeing solution 8 is heated by the induction heater 3 and the temperature is raised to the target temperature Tt. To do. At this time, the temperature increase period from the standby temperature Ti to the target temperature Tt may be divided into a first temperature increase period Ht1 and a second temperature increase period Ht2 as shown in FIG. The temperature may be raised. It is preferable to determine whether to divide the temperature increase period based on the magnitude of the midway temperature Th and the standby temperature Ti.

<3. Effect of Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, an induction heater 3 is employed as the heating means provided in the dyeing apparatus 1. The dyeing tank 2 itself generates heat according to the output of the induction heater 3 and heat released from the dyeing tank 2 is directly transmitted to the dyeing solution 8 and heated. The followability of the temperature of the staining liquid 8 is good. Therefore, as compared with the case where an indirect heating type heater such as a sheathed heater is used, the temperature of the staining liquid 8 can be increased efficiently, and the temperature of the staining liquid 8 can be rapidly heated to the target temperature Tt. Further, since the followability of the temperature of the staining liquid 8 is improved, the staining liquid 8 is hardly overheated beyond the target temperature Tt. As a result, since the lens can be dyed in a short time from the start of the dyeing processing apparatus, production efficiency can be improved.

  Moreover, since the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 can be strictly controlled by employing the induction heater 3, the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 can be managed with high accuracy. As a result, the variation in the staining state of the lens due to the variation in the temperature of the staining solution 8 can be reduced, and the reproducibility of the staining state set to a predetermined value is increased. As a result, it is possible to reduce the work of correcting the deviation from the predetermined dyeing state for the dyed lens. Therefore, the dyeing quality of the lens can be stabilized and the quality can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, during a period when the dyeing apparatus 1 is not in operation (a period when the dyeing process is not performed), a standby process is provided, and the temperature of the dyeing solution 8 is changed from the target temperature Tt (the dyeing process suitable temperature) to the standby temperature. The temperature is lowered to Ti. As a result, compared with the case where the target temperature Tt is maintained without providing a standby process, unnecessary heating of the staining liquid 8 can be suppressed, and energy consumption can be reduced. Further, scattering of the staining component and the carrier component due to evaporation of the staining solution 8 can be suppressed, and environmental problems can be reduced. Furthermore, the life of the staining liquid 8 can be maintained. In particular, in the custom-made dyeing process, the time during which the lens dyeing process is not performed may become longer depending on the frequency of orders, and thus the above-described effect is enhanced by providing a standby process.

  In addition, when the transition from the standby process to the dyeing process is performed again, since the induction heater 3 is used as a heater, the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 can be quickly reached from the standby temperature Ti to the target temperature Tt. Furthermore, when the standby temperature Ti is set higher than the pre-heating start temperature Ts, the temperature difference between the standby temperature Ti and the target temperature Tt is smaller than when the staining solution 8 is heated again from the pre-heating start temperature Ts. can do. Therefore, the temperature of the staining liquid 8 can be quickly reached to the target temperature Tt.

  Further, unlike a heater such as a sheathed heater, the induction heater 3 is easy to manage the temperature of the heater. As a result, overheating of the heater itself can be prevented, and deformation and burnout of the heater can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the dyeing solution 8 is heated from the pre-heating start temperature Ts to the intermediate temperature Th, and then the dyeing solution 8 is heated to the target temperature Tt at a slower temperature increase rate than before. Thereby, in the temperature range higher than the intermediate temperature Th, the temperature rise of the dyeing liquid 8 becomes moderate. For this reason, it becomes difficult to generate bubbles in the liquid of the staining liquid 8. On the other hand, in the temperature range lower than the halfway temperature Th, the temperature rise of the dyeing liquid 8 is abrupt. For this reason, the time required for the staining liquid 8 to reach the intermediate temperature Th is shortened. Therefore, in the entire temperature increase period (Ht1 + Ht2), it is possible to shorten the time required for temperature increase and reduce the amount of foaming.

<4. Modified example>
The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the specific effects obtained by the constituent elements of the invention and combinations thereof can be derived.

  In the above embodiment, since the target temperature Tt is relatively high at 95 ° C., the standby temperature Ti is set to 65 ° C. However, when the target temperature Tt is relatively low or the order frequency is low, the standby temperature Ti may be set lower than 65 ° C. For example, the output of the induction heater 3 during the temperature drop period Ht4 and the standby period Ht5 may be set to 0, and the standby temperature Ti may be set in the vicinity of the pre-heating start temperature Ts. When the target temperature Tt is relatively low or the order frequency is low, in the standby process in which the lens is not dyed, the standby temperature Ti is maintained rather than maintaining the standby temperature Ti with the output of the induction heater 3 as a predetermined value. This is because, in the process, it may be advantageous from the viewpoint of energy saving to set the output of the induction heater 3 to 0 and heat the dyeing liquid 8 to reach the target temperature Tt only in the dyeing process.

  Moreover, it is preferable to cover at least a part of the open portion Os of the dyeing tank 2 shown in FIG. By doing so, scattering of the staining component and the carrier component due to evaporation of the staining liquid 8 and the like can be prevented. In addition, since the temperature retention effect of the cover can suppress the temperature drop of the dyeing liquid 8 due to the heat of vaporization when the dyeing liquid 8 evaporates, the energy for maintaining the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 can be further reduced.

  When an indirect heating type heater such as a sheathed heater is used to heat the dyeing liquid 8, if the cover is removed, the heat remaining between the dyeing tank 2 and the cover is dissipated, and the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 is increased. May be temporarily reduced. This is because the indirect heating type heater has poor temperature followability of the dyeing liquid 8 even if the output of the heater is increased in accordance with heat dissipation, so that it takes time to recover the temperature drop. Because. On the other hand, when the induction heater 3 is used, when the cover is removed, the temperature of the staining solution 8 can be recovered immediately even if the temperature of the staining solution 8 temporarily decreases.

  In the above embodiment, on the time axis shown in FIG. 2, after the first dyeing process, the process proceeds to the first waiting process. However, the first waiting process is provided before the first dyeing process. Also good. That is, the temperature may be raised and maintained from the pre-heating start temperature Ts to the standby temperature Ti, and then the temperature may be raised to the target temperature Tt to perform the lens dyeing process.

  In the second temperature raising period Ht2, the output of the induction heater 3 is changed from 90% → 80% → 70% → 60 as the temperature of the staining liquid 8 detected by the temperature sensor 9 approaches the target temperature Tt. It may be controlled so as to decrease gradually (stepwise) such as%.

  In addition, the output value of the induction heater 3 applied to the first temperature increase period Ht1 is preferably set to the maximum value (100%) from the viewpoint of shortening the time required for temperature increase, but is not necessarily set to the maximum value. do not have to. Specifically, for example, the output of the induction heater 3 is set to 90% smaller than the maximum value in the first temperature increase period Ht1, and the output of the induction heater 3 is set to 80% in the second temperature increase period Ht2. Or you may make it raise the dyeing liquid 8 from the temperature Ts before a heating start to target temperature Tt by setting to 70%.

  Further, in the above embodiment, on the time axis shown in FIG. 2, the end point of the first temperature rising period Ht1 and the start point of the second temperature rising period Ht2 are the same timing (that is, the first temperature rising period Ht1 and However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the periods Ht1 and Ht2 may be in a discontinuous relationship. For example, although not shown, a period during which the staining solution 8 is maintained at the intermediate temperature Th may be provided between the first temperature raising period Ht1 and the second temperature raising period Ht2. When this period to maintain is provided, even when the temperature of the staining liquid 8 is rapidly increased in the first temperature raising period Ht1, the influence of temperature unevenness of the staining liquid 8 in the staining tank 2 is suppressed, The temperature of the staining liquid 8 can be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 9. Moreover, the state of the dyeing liquid 8 can be once settled while heating the dyeing liquid 8 to the target temperature Tt. For this reason, the effect which suppresses generation | occurrence | production of a bubble can be anticipated when transfering from the 1st temperature rising period Ht1 to the 2nd temperature rising period Ht2.

  When the temperature of the dyeing liquid 8 is raised from the standby temperature Ti to the target temperature Tt (dyeing process suitable temperature), as described above, the first temperature raising period Ht1 and the second temperature raising period Ht2 are provided. Also good. In particular, when the intermediate temperature Th is set to the firing start temperature and the standby temperature Ti is set to a temperature lower than the intermediate temperature Th, the generation of bubbles can be effectively suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the spectacle lens dyeing process is described as an example of the surface treatment of the spectacle lens. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the desired functional layer is obtained by immersing the spectacle lens in the treatment liquid. It is possible to apply widely to the surface treatment to form. Specifically, it can be applied to, for example, a process for forming an antifouling layer or an antifogging layer on the optical surface of a spectacle lens, a process for forming a hard coat layer (hard coat process), a water-repellent coat, etc. It is.

  Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated based on a more detailed Example, this invention is not limited to these Examples.

  A dyeing processing apparatus A using an induction heater as a heating means and a dyeing processing apparatus B using a sheathed heater as a heating means were prepared. Using these dyeing processing apparatuses A and B, ten identical lenses were dyed continuously, and the color difference (L value) after the dyeing process was measured. The results are shown in FIG. The target temperature Ht in the dyeing process is 95 ° C., and the temperature rise to the target temperature Ht is a constant rate of temperature rise.

  From FIG. 3, the variation in the color difference (L value) when the lens is dyed by the dyeing processing apparatus A using the induction heater is the case where the lens is dyed by the dyeing processing apparatus B using the sheathed heater. It was confirmed that the color difference (L value) was smaller than the variation. That is, in the dyeing processing apparatus A, since the temperature of the dyeing liquid is managed with high accuracy, it was confirmed that the reproducibility of the dyeing state of the lens was high.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Dye processing apparatus 2 ... Dyeing tank 3 ... Induction heater 9 ... Temperature sensor 20 ... Heater control circuit 8 ... Dyeing liquid L ... Eyeglass lens

Claims (6)

A treatment tank for storing a treatment liquid used for surface treatment by immersing the spectacle lens;
Heating means for heating the treatment liquid stored in the treatment tank;
Control means for controlling the drive of the heating means,
The surface treatment apparatus for spectacle lenses, wherein the heating means is constituted by induction heating means. The control means includes
In the surface treatment step of performing the surface treatment of the spectacle lens, the driving of the heating unit is controlled so that the temperature of the treatment liquid reaches or maintains the target temperature, and the surface treatment of the spectacle lens is not performed. 2. The drive of the heating unit is controlled so as to reach or maintain the temperature of the processing liquid at a standby temperature set lower than the target temperature in the standby step of waiting. Eyeglass lens surface treatment equipment.   3. The eyeglass lens surface treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the standby temperature is higher than a pre-heating start temperature that is a temperature before heating the treatment liquid. 4. The control means includes
A period for raising the temperature of the processing liquid from the temperature before starting heating to the target temperature is divided into a first temperature raising period and a second temperature raising period to control the driving of the heating means, and the first In the temperature raising period, the temperature of the processing liquid is raised from the pre-heating temperature to an intermediate temperature lower than the target temperature, and in the second temperature raising period, the temperature rises later than the first temperature raising period. The surface treatment of the spectacle lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein driving of the heating unit is controlled so as to raise the temperature of the treatment liquid from the intermediate temperature to the target temperature at a temperature rate. apparatus. A surface treatment process in which a spectacle lens is immersed in a treatment liquid heated to a target temperature to perform surface treatment;
A standby step of waiting without performing the surface treatment of the spectacle lens,
In the standby step, the temperature of the treatment liquid is allowed to reach or be maintained at a standby temperature set lower than the target temperature. The method for manufacturing a spectacle lens according to claim 5, wherein the temperature of the treatment liquid is controlled by induction heating means.

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